Geographic Environment

Location and Boundaries

德宏傣族景颇族自治州 (Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture) is situated in the western part of Yunnan Province, China, between 97°31′ to 98°43′ east longitude and 23°50′ to 25°20′ north latitude. It is one of the eight autonomous prefectures of ethnic minorities in Yunnan Province. To the east and northeast, it borders Longling County and Tengchong City of Baoshan City. It shares its western, northern, and southern boundaries with Myanmar. Except for Lianghe County, all counties (cities) in the prefecture are border counties, with a total border length of 503.8 kilometers. The maximum east-west distance is 122 kilometers, and the maximum north-south distance is 170 kilometers. The prefecture covers an area of 11,526 square kilometers.

Topography and Landforms

Terrain and Landforms

Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture features a steep and rugged terrain in the northeast, gradually becoming wider and gentler towards the southwest. The average elevation ranges from 800 to 2,000 meters above sea level. The highest point is Mount Dainong in Yingjiang County, reaching 3,404.6 meters above sea level. The lowest point is the valley of the Jiayang River in Yingjiang County, at an elevation of 210 meters. There are 20 large river valley basins in the prefecture, with areas exceeding 100 square kilometers, including Yingjiang, Longchuan, Ruili, Mangshi, and Zhefang.

Climate Conditions

Climate

Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture falls under the South Asian tropical monsoon climate zone. The annual average temperature ranges from 18.6°C to 21.0°C. Annual rainfall ranges from 1,366.1 to 1,606.6 millimeters, and annual sunshine hours range from 2,119.1 to 2,318.7 hours. The prefecture experiences mild winters without severe cold and summers without extreme heat.

Hydrology

Water Resources

The prefecture is rich in water resources, known as the “Three Rivers and Four Rivers.” The “Three Rivers” refer to the Nujiang River, Dayingjiang River, and Ruili River, belonging to the Nujiang River and Irrawaddy River systems, respectively. The “Four Rivers” include the Mangshi River, Nanwan River, Husa River, and Luoboba River. Apart from the Nujiang River, which belongs to the Nujiang River system, other rivers belong to the Irrawaddy River system.

Natural Resources

Mineral Resources

Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture has confirmed 34 types of mineral resources. Key mineral resources include lead, zinc, geothermal energy, silica, gold, tin, rare earths, limestone, granite, gneiss, as well as pottery clay and kaolin. These resources are vital for the local economy due to their competitive position in both provincial and national markets.

Biological Resources

The prefecture boasts a diverse array of biological resources. It is home to 6,053 species from 1911 genera across 339 families of higher plants, including 5,369 native species and 684 cultivated species. Notably, it hosts 156 nationally protected plant species such as Amomum villosum, Myrica esculenta, Osmunda japonica, Dracaena cochinchinensis, and Pittosporum glabratum. Dehong also supports a rich diversity of vertebrate animals, including 238 nationally protected species like the rhinoceros hornbill, Pygathrix nemaeus, Nomascus leucogenys, Sus scrofa, Neofelis nebulosa, Nycticebus bengalensis, Polyplectron bicalcaratum, and Macaca spp.

Geographic Environment

Location and Boundaries

楚雄彝族自治州 (Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture) is located in the central part of Yunnan Province, China, spanning between 100°43′ to 102°30′ east longitude and 24°13′ to 26°30′ north latitude. It is situated in the western part of the Yungui Plateau, which forms the main part of the central Yunnan Plateau. To the east, it borders Kunming City; to the west, it borders Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture; to the south, it connects with Pu’er City and Yuxi City; to the north, it adjoins Panzhihua City and Liangshan Yi Autonomous Prefecture in Sichuan Province. Across the Jinsha River to the northwest lies Lijiang City. The prefecture covers an area of 28,438.41 square kilometers.

Topography and Landforms

Terrain and Landforms

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture features a terrain that slopes generally from northwest to southeast. From a north-south perspective, it is characterized by higher elevation in the central part, lower elevation in the north and south, and slightly higher elevation in the north compared to the south. From an east-west perspective, the eastern part is slightly higher, while the central part is gently sloping. The highest point is the main peak of Baicaoling in Dayao County, reaching 3,657 meters above sea level. The lowest point is Sanjiangkou, where Shuangbai County meets Xinping County of Yuxi City, at an elevation of 556 meters. The prefecture exhibits a complex terrain with developed folds and faults, predominantly mountainous with mountains accounting for over 90% of the total area, while basins and riverbank plains occupy less than 10%.

Climate Conditions

Climate

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture enjoys a pleasant climate characterized as a subtropical highland monsoon climate. Due to its varied topography and altitude differences, it experiences distinct vertical climate changes and regional microclimates. The overall climate features short winters and summers, long springs and autumns, large diurnal temperature variations, and relatively small annual temperature differences. Winters are mild without severe cold, and summers are free from extreme heat. The region experiences distinct dry and wet seasons, with precipitation concentrated in the rainy season. Sunshine hours are abundant, and the frost period is short. In 2021, the average annual precipitation was 738 millimeters, the average annual temperature was 17.6°C, and the annual sunshine hours were 2,681.

Hydrology

Water Resources

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture spans the Jinsha River and Yuanjiang River basins. The watershed to the north belongs to the Jinsha River system, covering a length of 151.9 kilometers within the prefecture and a basin area of 17,091.48 square kilometers, accounting for 60.1% of the prefecture’s land area. The main rivers of the Jinsha River system within the prefecture include the Yupojiang, Wanma River, Qinglong River, Longchuan River, and Mengguo River. The Yuanjiang River, known as the upper main stream of the Red River, stretches for 164.8 kilometers within the prefecture, with a basin area of 11,346.93 square kilometers, covering Shuangbai County and parts of Nanhua, Chuxiong, and Lufeng. The main rivers of the Yuanjiang River system within the prefecture include the Qinglong River, Malong River, and Lishu River.

Natural Resources

Soil Resources

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture has a total land area of 43.887 million mu, including 2.3836 million mu of arable land and 1.2395 million mu of paddy fields. There are 19 soil types, including 14 types of arable soils and 5 types of natural soils. Purple soil is the most widespread, followed by red soil. Purple soil has a thin upper layer with poor water retention and erosion resistance but is rich in phosphorus and potassium, suitable for growing various economic crops, particularly tobacco. Red soil layers are generally thicker with good structure, acidic in nature, suitable for growing tea, potatoes, and beans. Additionally, paddy soil is the primary arable soil, covering 1.28 million mu, mainly distributed in the plains.

Mineral Resources

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture is rich in mineral resources, including coal, copper, iron, lead, zinc, titanium, platinum, gold, rare earths, saltpeter, salt, and graphite. Notably, it is known for its reserves of iron ore (261 million tons) and coal (1.061 billion tons).

Plant Resources

The prefecture is home to over 6,000 species of higher plants, including more than 4,500 species of seed plants. It is notable for hosting 36 nationally protected wild plant species such as Cycas fairylakea, Cycas chenii, Cycas debaoensis, Dracaena cambodiana, Dracaena cochinchinensis, and Magnolia duclouxii.

Animal Resources

Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture boasts over 680 species of vertebrate animals, including 110 species of mammals, 390 species of birds, 66 species of reptiles, 34 species of amphibians, and 85 species of fish. It is home to 126 nationally protected terrestrial wild animals, including the black-crested gibbon, clouded leopard, green peafowl, black-necked crane, python, macaque, black bear, giant lizard, and leopard cat.

Location and Boundary

Chuxiong is situated in the western part of Yunnan Province, between 98°25′E – 100°02′E longitude and 24°08′N – 25°51′N latitude. It borders Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and Lincang City to the east, Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture to the north, Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture to the west, and shares borders with Myanmar to the northwest and south. The total length of its international boundary is 167.78 kilometers. With an area of approximately 19,600 square kilometers, Chuxiong is dominated by Longyang District, located 498 kilometers away from the provincial capital Kunming. It serves as the political, economic, and cultural center of western Yunnan and has historically been the seat of various administrative divisions.

Topography and Terrain

Chuxiong is positioned at the southern end of the transverse mountains of western Yunnan’s longitudinal valley. Its terrain is diverse and complex, with basin areas covering 8.21% and mountainous regions covering 91.79%. The land slopes gently from northwest to southeast, with elevations ranging from 535 meters above sea level at its lowest point near Longling County to 3,780.9 meters at Gaoligong Mountain’s peak in Tengchong County. The region features 78 small to large basin valleys nestled among the mountains, the largest being Baoshan Basin covering 149.9 square kilometers.

Climate Characteristics

Chuxiong experiences a subtropical monsoon climate influenced by the Bay of Bengal, Indian Ocean, and South China Sea tropical warm and humid air currents. This complex climate system results in varied weather patterns and diverse geographical and climatic types, characterized by distinct vertical climate zones. The average annual temperature ranges from 14.8°C to 21.3°C, with an average frost-free period of 238 to 336 days annually. The average annual precipitation ranges from 1,463.8 to 2,095.2 millimeters.

Hydrological Features

Chuxiong’s rivers are part of the Lancang River, Nujiang River, and Iliwadi River systems. Within its borders, the Lancang River flows 116.5 kilometers with a drainage area of 3,164 square kilometers, the Nujiang River flows 252 kilometers with a drainage area of 10,500 square kilometers, and the Daying River (upper Iliwadi River) flows 101 kilometers with a drainage area of 1,070 square kilometers.

Natural Resources

Biological Resources

Chuxiong boasts extensive subtropical evergreen broad-leaved forests and a rich diversity of precious and rare biological species, including ancient tropical-origin species. Gaoligong Mountain Nature Reserve alone harbors 5,726 species and varieties of higher plants, including first-level protected species such as Taxus chinensis, Davidia involucrata, and Magnolia elongata, and second-level protected species like Castanopsis wattii, Keteleeria davidiana, Cinnamomum camphora, and Camellia sinensis. The area is also home to over 200 species of Rhododendronaceae plants. Chuxiong hosts more than 50 species of mammals (including 21 nationally protected rare animals) and over 250 species of birds.

Chuxiong has achieved a protection rate of over 90% for nationally protected wild animals and plants. It is known for 108 species of nationally protected wild animals, including the Hoolock gibbon, Trachypithecus francoisi, clouded leopard, clouded leopard, Goura cristata, green peacock, Anas poecilorhyncha, and Haliaeetus leucoryphus. The area is also home to 137 species of nationally protected wild plants.

Natural Protection Areas

Chuxiong has established 14 natural protection areas, encompassing nature reserves, scenic spots, forest parks, wetland parks, geological parks, water scenic spots, and aquatic germplasm resource protection areas. These areas cover a total planned area of 158,283.92 hectares, accounting for 8.3% of Chuxiong’s total land area.

Major Natural Protection Areas

• National Nature Reserves: Gaoligong Mountain National Nature Reserve
• National Parks: Yunnan Chuxiong Qinghua Lake National Wetland Nature Park, Baoshan Cypress Field National Grassland Nature Park, Tengchong Laifengshan National Forest Nature Park, Tengchong Geothermal Volcano National Geological Nature Park
• Provincial Nature Reserves: Tengchong Beihai Wetland Provincial Nature Reserve, Longling Xiaheishan Provincial Nature Reserve
• Provincial Parks: Baoshan Yongchang Provincial Forest Nature Park, Baoshan Guchengshan Provincial Forest Nature Park, Shidian Shanzhou Provincial Forest Nature Park, Longling Liangshan Provincial Forest Nature Park, Changning Millennium Tea Township Provincial Forest Nature Park, Changning Youdian River Provincial Wetland Nature Park

Mineral Resources

Located in the “Southwest Three Rivers” polymetallic metallogenic belt, Chuxiong has identified 70 types of mineral resources, with proven reserves of 56 types. Notably, it holds substantial reserves ranking within the top three in Yunnan Province for 11 solid mineral resources, including tantalum, beryllium, zircon, rubidium, silica limestone, diatomite, gold, titanium iron ore, tin, mercury, and niobium.

Land Resources

Chuxiong covers an area of 1.906 million square kilometers, with mountainous areas accounting for 92% of the total land area and basin areas accounting for 8%. The city has 257,800 hectares of arable land (13.53% of the total area), 106,900 hectares of orchard land (5.61%), 1,314,200 hectares of forest land (68.94%), 26,700 hectares of grassland (1.40%), 67,400 hectares of urban and rural construction land (3.54%), 29,400 hectares of transportation land (1.54%), 24,300 hectares of water and water conservancy facilities land (1.27%), 2,800 hectares of wetland (0.15%), and 76,700 hectares of other land (4.02%).

Energy Resources

Chuxiong is rich in clean energy resources. It has exploitable hydroelectric resources totaling 8.2158 million kilowatts, with rivers belonging to the Lancang River, Nujiang River, and Iliwadi River systems. The area is also favorable for solar energy development, particularly in Longyang Dam area, which is among the 12 best development zones for solar radiation in Yunnan Province, with potential for over 7.3 million kilowatts of photovoltaic resources. Wind energy resources of over 560,000 kilowatts are also exploitable in mountainous areas outside the canyons and basin areas of the Nujiang and Lancang rivers. Additionally, Chuxiong boasts abundant geothermal resources, with 317 hot springs and a known thermal energy reserve exceeding 2.5 million kilowatts.

This comprehensive overview of Chuxiong’s geography highlights its diverse natural resources, climatic characteristics, and ecological significance within Yunnan Province and the broader southwestern region of China.

Geographic Location

Wenshan City is located in the southeastern part of Yunnan Province, southwestern part of Wenshan Prefecture. It spans between 103°43′E to 104°27′E longitude and 23°06′N to 23°44′N latitude. It is adjacent to Yanshan County to the east and north, Ma’gan County to the south, and borders Mengzi City of Honghe Prefecture to the west, with Pingbian County across the river and Wenshan City’s southeast adjoining Xichou County. According to the third national land survey, the total area of Wenshan City is 2967.17 square kilometers. The central urban area where the Wenshan Municipal Government is located also serves as the capital of Wenshan Zhuang and Miao Autonomous Prefecture, functioning as its political, economic, and cultural center.

Wenshan City is strategically located: it is 35 kilometers from National Highway 323, 26 kilometers from Wenshan Puzhehei Airport, 308 kilometers north to Kunming (provincial capital), 576 kilometers east to Nanning in Guangxi, 116 kilometers south to Tianbao National Port, 90 kilometers to Duolong Port, and 163 kilometers to Hekou Port. It is 126 kilometers west to Mengzi City of Honghe Prefecture, serving as the southeastern gateway of Yunnan Province and a crucial transportation hub leading to Beibu Gulf, Pearl River Delta, and Southeast Asia.

Terrain and Landforms

Geological and Topographical Features

Wenshan City lies within the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau’s southeastern karst mountainous region, characterized by complex terrain and prominent karst landforms. The overall terrain slopes from northwest to southeast, with continuous mountain ranges, valleys, and gorges crisscrossing the area. Major peaks include Bozhu Mountain, Lianyun Mountain, Huayu Mountain, and Laojun Mountain, with slopes generally exceeding 25°. The average elevation is around 1250 meters above sea level, with peak elevations reaching over 1500 meters. Bozhu Mountain stands as the highest peak in southeastern Yunnan, towering at 2991.2 meters above sea level and commanding the southwestern horizon.

In the southwest, the confluence of Namenguo River and Faguo River marks the lowest elevation at 618 meters, creating a vertical difference of 2373.2 meters from the highest peak. Wenshan City is divided into eight distinct mountainous regions: Western high mountain gorges, western edge mid-mountain areas, northern low hills and ridges, eastern mid-mountain areas, southern mid-low peak clusters, southwestern edge steep slope gorges, central-southern mid-mountain areas, and central-western-northern mid-low mountain areas. The Panlong River flows diagonally from northwest to southeast, forming a corridor-like terrain with higher elevations on both sides and lower elevations in the middle. The river valley basin where the city is located covers an area of 31.15 square kilometers, making it the largest basin in the city. The ratio of mountainous areas to basins in Wenshan City is approximately 9:1.

Climate

Wenshan City experiences a subtropical monsoon climate due to its location in the southeastern part of Yunnan Province at low latitudes on the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau, with proximity to the Beibu Gulf in the southeast and the Bay of Bengal in the southwest. Abundant rainfall is brought by water vapor from these directions. The Tropic of Cancer crosses the city’s territory, placing most of it south of the Tropic of Cancer. The climate is characterized by mild winters without severe cold, summers without extreme heat, long springs and autumns, and short winters and summers, resulting in pleasant year-round weather.

The climate pattern is generally described as having “cold and hot throughout the year, long rains turning into autumn; clear and warm winters during the spring, with occasional cold spells during the awakening of insects.” The city averages 2028 hours of annual sunshine, an accumulated temperature of 6829.3°C, a frost-free period averaging 309 days, with first frosts occurring in early December and last frosts in late January. Snowfall occurs approximately once every 10 years. The average annual temperature is 18.4°C, with a diurnal temperature range of 11.7°C. The average relative humidity is 75%, and the annual average rainfall is 1187.8 millimeters, totaling about 28 billion cubic meters of precipitation annually.

Natural Resources

Mineral Resources

Wenshan City’s geological structure lies on the southwestern edge of the South China Fold System, serving as a transitional zone between the South China Fold System and the Yangtze Platform. The area features complex geological structures, well-developed sedimentary strata, and frequent intense magmatic activities, creating favorable conditions for mineralization. By the end of 2015, the city had identified 165 mineral deposits, including 13 coal mines, 17 iron mines, 1 manganese mine, 1 ilmenite mine, 7 lead-zinc mines, 7 bauxite mines, 10 tungsten mines, 2 tin mines, 1 gold mine, 1 silver mine, 4 arsenic mines, 2 metallurgical silicon mines, 3 cement limestone mines, 1 cement ingredient sand mine, 51 construction stone limestone mines, 14 brick and tile shale mines, 2 brick and tile clay mines, 10 construction sand mines, 2 construction granite mines, 10 marble mines, 2 decorative granite mines, 3 mineral water sources, and 1 hot spring.

According to the “Summary of Mineral Resources Reserves in Yunnan Province by the end of 2015,” major solid mineral reserves in Wenshan City included 5.884 million tons of coal, 180,000 tons of iron, 1.915 million tons of manganese, 5,424 tons of copper, 20,592 tons of lead, 40,376 tons of zinc, 27.654 million tons of bauxite, 58,545 tons of tungsten, 179 tons of silver, 1,435 tons of gallium, 2,974 tons of arsenic, 7.18 million tons of pyrite, 141,000 tons of silica limestone, and 42.062 million tons of cement limestone. Wenshan City ranks among the top in Yunnan Province for its reserves of aluminum, tungsten, arsenic, gallium, and bismuth.

Water Resources

In 2020, Wenshan City’s water supply included 171.06 million cubic meters from surface water projects, 0.096 million cubic meters from groundwater sources, and no water from other unconventional sources, totaling 174.02 million cubic meters. The city primarily relies on reservoir engineering for its water supply. Water usage in 2020 included agricultural irrigation, industrial production, domestic consumption, and artificial ecological environment replenishment, totaling 174.02 million cubic meters. Agricultural irrigation accounted for 71.51 million cubic meters (41.09%), industrial production for 45.03 million cubic meters (25.88%), domestic consumption for 30.28 million cubic meters (17.37%), and artificial ecological environment replenishment for 3.20 million cubic meters (1.84%).

Land Resources

As of December 2015, Wenshan City’s total land area was 296,686.11 hectares, including 250,795.69 hectares of arable land, 8,247.24 hectares of construction land, and 37,643.18 hectares of unused land. Within the arable land, there were 102,753.39 hectares of cultivated land, 2,066.89 hectares of orchards, and 120,687.35 hectares of forest land. Among construction land, there were 7,312.41 hectares of urban and rural construction land, 884.81 hectares of transportation and water conservancy land, and 50.02 hectares of special use land. Among unused land, there were 726.22 hectares of water area and 36,916.96 hectares of natural reserves.

Biological Resources

In 2022, Wenshan City had one natural reserve covering an area of 22,960.4 hectares. The area is rich in flora and fauna, with 262 species of ferns in 45 families and 100 genera, 3,085 species of seed plants in 187 families and 946 genera. Thirty species are under national key protection, and three are under provincial key protection. Nine species of nationally protected endangered plants (such as Magnolia lancifera, Magnolia sinica, and Podocarpus neriifolius) and three species under provincial protection (such as Podocarpus neriifolius, Pseudolarix amabilis, and Dacrydium pierrei) are found here. There are over 350 species of wildlife, including 8 species of animals under national first-level protection like macaques and wild goats, and over 170 species of birds. The biodiversity is extremely rich within the natural reserve area.

This reorganization maintains the structure with clear headings (h1, h2, h3) and integrates English translations while preserving Chinese place names.

Location and Administrative Division

Geographic Location

Puer City is situated in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, China, spanning between 22°02′N to 24°50′N latitude and 99°09′E to 102°19′E longitude. It borders Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture and Yuxi City to the east, Xishuangbanna Dai Autonomous Prefecture to the south, Lincang City to the northwest, and Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture and Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture to the north. To the southeast, it shares borders with Vietnam and Laos, while Myanmar lies to the southwest. The city’s total border length is approximately 486 kilometers (303 kilometers with Myanmar, 116 kilometers with Laos, and 67 kilometers with Vietnam). Puer City extends 208.5 kilometers from north to south and ranges from 55 kilometers in the north to 299 kilometers in the south, covering an area of approximately 45,000 square kilometers , making it the largest city (prefecture) in Yunnan Province.

Terrain and Landforms

Geological and Topographical Features

Puer City is characterized by undulating mountains, with mountainous areas covering 98.3% of the entire region . Elevations range from 317 meters to 3370 meters above sea level, with the central urban area situated at an altitude of 1302 meters.

Climate

Puer City experiences five climate zones: Northern Tropical, Southern Subtropical, Central Subtropical, Northern Subtropical, and Temperate.  Influenced by the subtropical monsoon climate, most areas in Puer City are frost-free year-round, with mild winters and no severe summer heat. It is renowned as the “Green Sea Pearl” and a “natural oxygen bar.” The city averages an annual temperature between 15°C to 20.3°C, with a frost-free period exceeding 315 days annually. Annual rainfall ranges from 1100 to 2780 millimeters, and negative oxygen ion levels are above seven levels. The Tropic of Cancer crosses the central part of Puer City, where vertical climate characteristics are significantly influenced by terrain and altitude.

Natural Resources

Puer City, historically an important stop on the “Tea Horse Ancient Road,” is one of the major tea-producing areas in China. It boasts rich natural resources, earning it the reputation of “concealing gold and nurturing treasures.” Known reserves include 103.7 tons of gold, 20.3 billion tons of iron ore, 518,000 tons of nickel metal, 16.33 million tons of potash, and 134,000 tons of rare earth oxides.

Water Resources

Puer City has a hydroelectric potential of 15 million kilowatts, serving as a crucial base for the “Western Electricity to Eastern China” and “Yunnan Electricity Export” projects. [40] In 2022, the total water resources in Puer City amounted to 258.6 billion cubic meters. By the end of the year, the city had 774 completed reservoirs (ponds and dams), including 24 medium-sized reservoirs, 305 small reservoirs, and 445 ponds and dams. The total reservoir storage capacity at the end of the year was 606 million cubic meters, marking a 14.6% increase from the previous year.

Plant Resources

Puer City has a forest coverage rate exceeding 74.59%, with tea plantations covering 3.307 million mu (approximately 550,000 acres). It is home to one national wetland park and three national forest parks, serving as a microcosm of Yunnan’s “Kingdom of Plants and Animals” and one of the most biodiverse regions in China. It is the largest oasis along the Tropic of Cancer, recognized by the United Nations Environment Programme as “heaven of the world, world of heaven.” The forestry land area in Puer City covers 46.56 million mu, making it a key forestry area in Yunnan Province and an important base for commercial timber and forest product industries.

Location and Administrative Division

Lincang City is located in the southwest part of Yunnan Province, China, between 98°40′ to 100°32′ east longitude and 23°05′ to 25°03′ north latitude. The Tropic of Cancer crosses the southern part of its jurisdiction. The Lancang River and Nu River flow through the eastern and western sides of the city, respectively. It borders Pu’er City to the east, Dali Prefecture to the north, Baoshan City to the west, and Myanmar to the southwest, with a border length of 290.79 kilometers. The city covers an area of 24,000 square kilometers, and its municipal seat is 598 kilometers away from the provincial capital Kunming.

Terrain and Topography

Lincang City is located in the southern extension of the Hengduan Mountains and the southern part of the Nu Mountains, belonging to the western Yunnan longitudinal valley region. The area is characterized by rugged mountains and peaks. The highest point is the Yulong Snow Mountain at an altitude of 3,429 meters, and the lowest point is the Mengding Qingshui River at 450 meters above sea level, with a relative elevation difference of 2,979 meters. The terrain is higher in the middle and gradually slopes down from northeast to southwest.

Soil

The soils in Lincang City exhibit a zonal vertical distribution with 10 soil types, 19 subtypes, 72 genera, and 348 species. Soil types vary from low to high altitudes, including brick red soil, red soil, yellow soil, yellow brown soil, and subalpine meadow soil. Each type is distributed according to altitude ranges, with specific percentages allocated to different elevations.

Climate

Lincang City has a subtropical highland monsoon climate influenced by warm and humid air currents from the Indian Ocean and the southwest monsoon. It experiences distinct dry and rainy seasons with abundant rainfall and long sunshine hours. The city can be divided into six climate zones ranging from tropical to temperate. The annual average temperature is 17.3°C, with a frost-free period lasting between 317 to 357 days annually. Average annual rainfall ranges from 920 to 1750 millimeters, and annual sunshine hours range from 1894.1 to 2261.6 hours.

Hydrology

The city’s rivers belong to two major water systems, the Nu River and the Lancang River. There are seven rivers with drainage areas exceeding 1000 square kilometers, including the Luoza River, Xiahei River, Nanting River, Nanpeng River, Yongkang River, Mengmeng River, and Nangun River. Lincang City has a total of 361 rivers with drainage areas larger than 20 square kilometers, classified into various sizes based on their drainage areas.

Natural Resources

Mineral Resources

Situated in the “Three Parallel Rivers” metallogenic belt, Lincang City is rich in mineral resources with 42 identified types, accounting for 25% of the 171 mineral types discovered nationwide. It is renowned for germanium ores, contributing a quarter of China’s total production and recognized as a key base for the industrialization of high-tech germanium materials.

Solar Energy Resources

Lincang City receives an annual average of 1878 to 2247 hours of sunshine, with a total solar radiation of 5239 to 5702 megajoules per square meter per year, placing it among the medium-level regions of China’s solar energy resources.

Wind Energy Resources

The city has an annual average wind speed ranging from 0.7 to 2.2 meters per second, varying by season. The effective utilization hours can reach up to 8000 hours annually, and the city has the potential to develop wind power exceeding 1700 kilowatts per square kilometer.

Hydropower Resources

Due to abundant precipitation and significant elevation differences, Lincang City boasts rich hydropower resources. It hosts major hydropower stations along the Lancang River, including Manwan, Dachaoshan, and Xiaowan, with a combined capacity of over one million kilowatts. Theoretical estimates suggest a hydropower potential of 2.983 million kilowatts, with an exploitable capacity of 1.5123 million kilowatts, making it a crucial national hydroelectric energy base.

Water Resources

Lincang City has an average annual water resource volume of 23.227 billion cubic meters, with over 1000 rivers of varying sizes. Water quality from county-level and above centralized drinking water sources meets national Grade I and II protection zone standards. The per capita water resource availability is nearly 10,000 cubic meters, twice the average of Yunnan Province.

Biological Resources

The vegetation in Lincang City exhibits a vertical zonation pattern, with diverse plant species including Yunnan pine, Simao pine, oak, zhu muhe, qiu mu, and Huashan pine. The city is home to two national nature reserves, two forest parks, one national park, and five provincial scenic spots. It hosts a wide variety of flora and fauna, including 121 mammal species, 413 bird species, 55 reptile species, 35 amphibian species, and 85 fish species. Notably, it harbors 97 species of protected wildlife, including 19 species under national first-class protection, 73 under national second-class protection, and 5 under provincial protection.

Nature Reserves

National Level

• Nangun River Nature Reserve
• Yulong Snow Mountain Nature Reserve

Provincial Level

• Lincang Lancang River Nature Reserve
• Zhenkang Nanpeng River Nature Reserve

County Level

• Yongde Dedanghoushan Nature Reserve

Nature Conservation Areas

• Gengma Sifangjing Tieli Wood Nature Conservation Area

Location and Administrative Divisions

Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture is located in the northwest part of Yunnan Province, between 98°09′ to 99°39′ east longitude and 25°33′ to 28°23′ north latitude. It bord

ers Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture, Lijiang City to the east, Myanmar to the west, Baoshan City to the south, and Chamdo City, Tibet Autonomous Region to the north. The prefecture shares a border of 449.467 kilometers. It spans a maximum distance of 320.4 kilometers north to south and 153 kilometers east to west, covering a total area of 14,703 square kilometers.

Terrain and Landforms

The terrain in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture varies significantly from north to south. Four major mountain ranges—Dulongjian, Gaoligong, Biluo, and Yunling Mountains—run north to south, while the prefecture is characterized by the convergence of three rivers: Dulong River, Nu River, and Lancang River. This creates the distinctive “four mountains and three rivers” landscape. The Nu River Grand Canyon stretches 316 kilometers with an altitude difference exceeding 5,000 meters and an average depth of 2,000 meters. The canyon takes a U-shape during the flood season and a V-shape during the dry season. Over 98% of the prefecture’s area is dominated by high mountains and deep valleys. Nujiang is home to over 40 peaks above 4,000 meters, with Mount Gha Wa Gapu (Chulu La’ka Peak) of Gaoligong Mountain being the highest at 5,128 meters above sea level. This peak features a modern hanging glacier extending approximately 3 kilometers, with its tongue reaching down to 4,000 meters altitude. The lowest point in the prefecture is Cold Water Gully in Manyun Village of Lushui City, at an altitude of 738 meters.

Climate

Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture experiences diverse and variable weather patterns. Its climate combines characteristics of Yunnan’s low-latitude plateau monsoon climate—small annual temperature differences, large diurnal temperature variations, distinct wet and dry seasons—with variations due to topographical and latitudinal differences. The prefecture exhibits a gradient from cold in the north, moderate in the central regions, and hot in the south; high mountains are cold, mid-slopes are temperate, and riverbanks are hot. Some areas experience early rainy seasons, brief dry seasons, prolonged warm seasons, and distinct climatic characteristics due to its unique geographical features. Northern regions like Fugong and Gongshan have two rainy seasons: the “peach blossom flood” or “spring flood” from February to April, and the main rainy season from May to October.

Climatic Data:

• Annual average temperature: 15.8℃
• Average temperature of hottest month: 22.2℃
• Average temperature of coldest month: 9.1℃
• Extreme highest temperature: 40.3℃
• Extreme lowest temperature: -10.2℃
• Annual average precipitation: 1301.9 mm
• Maximum average monthly precipitation: 214.1 mm
• Minimum average monthly precipitation: 18.6 mm

Rainfall Distribution:

• Fugong and Gongshan (Feb-Apr): 591.4 mm (36% of annual precipitation)
• Fugong and Gongshan (May-Oct): 899.7 mm (55% of annual precipitation)
• Lushui and Lanping (May-Oct): 827.15 mm (84% of annual precipitation)

Average wind speed: 1.1 m/s, predominantly from the south. Annual average sunshine hours: 1576.8 hours. Annual average evaporation: 1420.2 mm.

Hydrology

Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture is densely crisscrossed with rivers, belonging to four major river systems: Nu River, Lancang River, Irawaddy River, and Yangtze River. The prefecture boasts a total of 292 rivers, categorized by their drainage basin areas:

• 6 rivers with drainage areas greater than 500 square kilometers
• 30 rivers with drainage areas between 500 and 100 square kilometers
• 53 rivers with drainage areas between 100 and 50 square kilometers
• 203 rivers with drainage areas less than 50 square kilometers
• 

Soil

The prefecture’s soils are diverse, featuring 11 soil types, 29 soil subgroups, and 55 soil species. Soils vary in acidity, with soils in Lushui, Fugong, and Gongshan tending towards acidity, while those in Lanping tend towards alkalinity. Soils have high organic matter content and are rich in potassium. Soil types vary by altitude:

• Below 1500 meters: predominantly red soils
• Around 2000 meters: yellow-red and yellow-brown soils
• 2500-3000 meters: brown and dark brown soils
• Above 3000 meters: grey-brown forest soils and alpine meadow soils

These sections provide a comprehensive overview of Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture’s geography, climate, hydrology, and soil composition, showcasing its rich natural diversity and environmental characteristics.

Location and Territory

Qujing City is situated in the eastern part of Yunnan Province, at the source of the Pearl River, bordering Guizhou and Guangxi provinces. Historically, it has been a significant gateway to Yunnan from the inland regions. The city spans between 103°03′44″ E to 104°32′36″ E longitude and 24°21′00″ N to 27°03′24″ N latitude. It covers a total area of 28,904.11 square kilometers, accounting for 13.63% of Yunnan’s total area, with an altitude of 1,881 meters above sea level and located 125 kilometers from the provincial capital Kunming.

Terrain and Landforms

Qujing City is located in the transitional zone from the Yunnan East Plateau to the Guizhou West Plateau, nestled within the Wumeng Mountains. It borders the Dianchi Basin of the central Yunnan Plateau to the west and gradually slopes towards the Guizhou Plateau to the east. The region serves as a watershed between the Yangtze and Pearl River basins, featuring well-preserved plateau surfaces and diverse landforms such as mountains, basins, and karst landscapes. The city’s highest point is Mount Guniu at 4,017.3 meters above sea level, while its lowest point is at the confluence of Xiaojiang and Jinsha River in Nangu Town, Huize County, at 695 meters above sea level, with a relative height difference of 3,322.3 meters.

Climate Characteristics

Qujing City experiences a subtropical highland monsoon climate, characterized by distinct seasonal variations. Winters and springs are characterized by good sunlight, unstable temperatures in spring with high winds and dry conditions, and uneven precipitation. Summers are free from extreme heat but are prone to concentrated rainfall, alternating between floods and droughts. Autumns witness rapid cooling and frequent cloudy days. The city’s climate is often described as “one mountain, four seasons, and ten kilometers with different weather.”

Hydrological Features

Qujing City is located at the watershed of the Yangtze and Pearl River systems, boasting a dense network of rivers with over 80 rivers having a basin area exceeding 100 square kilometers. Major rivers include Nanpan River, Beipan River, Niulan River, Huangni River, Yili River, Kuaize River, and Xiaojiang River, belonging to both the Yangtze and Pearl River systems. The city has abundant water resources totaling 16.96 billion cubic meters, with theoretical hydropower reserves of 4.063 million kilowatts and exploitable reserves of 3.003 million kilowatts.

Soil

The soils in Qujing City vary widely, ranging from red soil to subalpine meadow soil, exhibiting distinct vertical and horizontal distribution patterns. Red soil predominates (61.07%), followed by purple soil (9.84%), yellow-brown soil (5.16%), paddy soil (4.94%), yellow soil (3.47%), and lime soil (3.47%). Other soil types account for 12% of the total. These soils support diverse agricultural activities across different terrains, contributing significantly to the local economy.

Natural Resources

Land Resources

Qujing City possesses vast land resources, totaling 4,340.24 million mu (approx. 2890.41 square kilometers), primarily mountainous and hilly terrain. The city has 1,236.71 million mu of arable land, with a per capita arable land area of 1.9 mu.

Water Resources

The city’s water resources amount to 169.6 billion cubic meters, including 133.9 billion cubic meters of surface water and 35.8 billion cubic meters of groundwater, accounting for 6% of the province’s total. The city has built 780 reservoirs of varying sizes, with a total storage capacity of 2.46 billion cubic meters and an annual water supply capacity of 1.87 billion cubic meters.

Mineral Resources

Qujing City is rich in mineral resources, with 48 types of mineral deposits discovered and 256 mineral locations identified. Significant minerals include coal, phosphorus, fluorite, lead-zinc, pyrite, copper, antimony, tin, silver, gold, marble, fluorite, manganese ore, limestone for cement, natural gas, and others.

Biological Resources

The city’s vegetation is primarily subtropical, featuring a diverse array of flora and fauna. It is home to 3,955 species of seed plants, including medicinal plants, edible plants, industrial plants, and ornamental plants. There are also 298 species of vertebrate animals, including many rare and protected species such as the giant panda, golden monkey, and Yunnan snub-nosed monkey.

Major Natural Reserves

• National Nature Reserves: Heihe National Nature Reserve for Black-necked Cranes.
• Provincial Nature Reserves: Haifeng Provincial Nature Reserve in Zhanyi, Shiba Mountain Provincial Nature Reserve in Fuyuan, Huashan Pine Provincial Nature Reserve in Huize, and Zhujiangyuan Provincial Nature Reserve.
• National Forest Parks: Zhujiangyuan National Forest Park, Lubuge National Forest Park, Wufeng Mountain National Forest Park, and Shiba Mountain National Forest Park.
• Provincial Important Wetlands: Xiaohai Provincial Important Wetland in Fuyuan.

By organizing the information into structured headings, the geographical features of Qujing City become more accessible and comprehensible to readers interested in its landscape, climate, resources, and environmental conservation efforts.

Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the southern part of Yunnan Province. It borders Kunming City to the north, Wenshan City to the east, and Yuxi City to the west. To the south, it shares a border with the Socialist Republic of Vietnam. The prefecture lies between 101°47′ and 104°16′ E longitude and 22°26′ and 24°45′ N latitude. It spans a maximum east-west distance of 254.2 kilometers and a maximum north-south distance of 221 kilometers, covering a total area of 32,931 square kilometers.

Topography and Landforms

Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture features terrain that is higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The prefecture is divided by the Hong River into northern and southern regions. The eastern part belongs to the Eastern Yunnan Plateau, while the western part comprises the Ailao Mountains of the Hengduan Mountains vertical valleys. The Ailao Mountains stretch southward along the southern bank of the Hong River into Vietnam, forming the main mountain range in the prefecture. Mountainous areas account for 88.5% of the total area. The highest point is Xilong Mountain in Jinping County at 3,074.3 meters, and the lowest point is the confluence of the Hong and Nanxi Rivers at 76.4 meters (the lowest point in Yunnan Province).

Climate

Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture lies in the low-latitude plateau monsoon region of southern Yunnan, with the Tropic of Cancer passing through its middle. It has a tropical and subtropical vertical climate. The terrain is high in the north and low in the south, with prevailing southeast trade winds and southwest monsoons in summer, and southerly winds in winter and spring. The region exhibits complex horizontal heat distribution and significant vertical differences, with central high areas and lower elevations in the north and south, and higher elevations in the west compared to the east. Dry and hot river valleys are higher than humid and hot river valleys. The prefecture enjoys abundant light and heat resources, though these are unevenly distributed across seasons. The southern region beyond the Tropic of Cancer has longer periods of usable sunlight with good light quality. Spring and autumn temperatures are unstable, summer heat is insufficient, winters are not severely cold, and summers are not extremely hot, with large daily temperature variations and small annual variations. The spring season is clear and dry with higher temperatures, while autumn cools rapidly. The region has distinct wet and dry seasons, with uneven annual precipitation. The average annual rainfall is 1,396.4 millimeters, with 75.9% of the annual rainfall occurring from May to October, and 49% of the annual rainfall during the flood season. Dry season rainfall accounts for less than 20% of the annual total.

Hydrology

The water systems in Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture belong to the Hong River and Pearl River systems. The southern part belongs to the Hong River system, and the northern part belongs to the Pearl River system. Major rivers include Lixian River, Tengjiao River, Nanxi River, Qu River, and Dianxi River. The prefecture has 180 rivers with a drainage area of over 100 square kilometers, including the main streams of the Nanpan and Hong Rivers. Of these, 65 rivers are part of the Pearl River system, and 115 are part of the Hong River system. There are 13 rivers with a drainage area of over 1,000 square kilometers, six in the Pearl River system (Nanpan, Qu, Lu, Shadian, Dianxi, and Nandong Rivers) and seven in the Hong River system (Hong, Xiaodi, Nanxi, Lixian, Sinanjiang (Niukong River), Xiaohei, and Tengjiao (Mengla River) Rivers). The prefecture’s lakes are all freshwater, located in the Nanpan River basin, including Yilong, Chishui, Sanjiaohai, Datunhai, and Changqiaohai Lakes.

Natural Resources

Water Resources

Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture has an average annual surface water resource volume of 20.07 billion cubic meters and an underground water resource volume of 6.627 billion cubic meters, with a repeat calculation volume of 6.627 billion cubic meters. The total volume of surface and underground water resources is 20.07 billion cubic meters, with an average annual runoff depth of 624 millimeters and an average annual runoff coefficient of 0.463. By the end of 2018, the prefecture had constructed 490 reservoirs with a total capacity of 1.129 billion cubic meters and an effective capacity of 825 million cubic meters, with a per capita water storage of 237.9 cubic meters. Among these, there are 27 medium-sized reservoirs with a total capacity of 804 million cubic meters, 90 small (Type I) reservoirs with a total capacity of 229 million cubic meters, and 373 small (Type II) reservoirs with a total capacity of 96 million cubic meters.

Mineral Resources

Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture has widespread but relatively concentrated mineral resources. The northern region is concentrated with energy and building material minerals such as coal and marble. The central region is rich in non-ferrous and ferrous metal minerals like tin, copper, lead, zinc, silver, and manganese. The southern region is abundant in precious metals, non-ferrous metals, and building materials such as gold, copper, nickel, gypsum, and marble. The prefecture’s tin reserves and production are the highest in the world.

Biological Resources

Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture is rich in wild plant and animal resources, with vast subtropical primeval forests. The prefecture is home to 31 species of wild plants and 45 species of wild animals under national first-class protection.

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is situated at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet. It lies in the southern extension of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and is the highest-altitude area in Yunnan Province. The prefecture is located between 98°20′-100°19′ E longitude and 26°52′-29°16′ N latitude. To the east, it borders Muli Tibetan Autonomous County in Sichuan Province and Ninglang Yi Autonomous County in Lijiang City. The southern border includes Yulong Naxi Autonomous County in Lijiang City and Lanping Bai and Pumi Autonomous County and Fugong County in Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture. To the west, it is adjacent to Zuogong County and Zayü County in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Gongshan Dulong and Nu Autonomous County in Nujiang Prefecture. The northern border meets Mangkam County in the Tibet Autonomous Region and Batang, Derong, and Xiangcheng counties in Garze Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture, Sichuan Province. The maximum east-west width is 168.56 kilometers, and the maximum north-south length is 260.77 kilometers, with a total area of 23,185.67 square kilometers.

Topography and Landforms

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has a butterfly-shaped terrain, with higher elevations in the north and lower in the south. The landscape is dominated by mountains, ancient plateau surfaces, and mountain peaks. The geography features “three mountains embracing two rivers.” The three mountains, from west to east, are the Meili Snow Mountain Range, Yunling Snow Mountain Range, and Shangri-La Snow Mountain Range, with the Lancang and Jinsha rivers flowing between them. The highest point in the prefecture is Kawagebo Peak of Meili Snow Mountain at 6,740 meters, while the lowest point is at the confluence of Biyu River and Lancang River in Weixi County, at an altitude of 1,486 meters. The varied terrain and climatic conditions create three vertically distributed ecological environments: alpine areas (2,800-6,740 meters), mountainous areas (2,200-2,800 meters), and river valley areas (1,486-2,200 meters).

Climate

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture experiences a temperate and cold temperate monsoon climate, with the river valley areas having a northern subtropical monsoon climate. It features distinct low-latitude plateau monsoon characteristics, with clear wet and dry seasons. The annual average temperature ranges from 6.3°C to 11.8°C, with the hottest month averaging 13.6°C to 18.8°C and the coldest month averaging -2.3°C to 4.2°C. The extreme minimum temperature is -27.4°C. The prefecture receives 1,824.9 to 2,150.2 hours of sunlight annually, with precipitation ranging from 651.1 to 971.5 millimeters. The frost-free period lasts 127 to 201 days. About 85% of the annual precipitation occurs during the rainy season (May to October), mainly in July and August. The dry season (November to April) sees only about 15% of the annual precipitation, with ample sunshine, high evaporation, low humidity, significant daily temperature variations, and intense radiative cooling. The prefecture’s elevation difference of 5,254 meters causes temperatures to decrease by 0.37 to 0.75°C for every 100 meters of altitude gained, creating a unique climate where “one mountain experiences four seasons, and the weather changes every ten miles.”

Hydrology

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is traversed by the Lancang and Jinsha rivers from north to south. These river systems include 221 tributaries, forming a typical feather-like drainage pattern. The Jinsha River flows for 430 kilometers within the prefecture, with a drainage area of 16,810.8 square kilometers. The Lancang River runs for 320 kilometers, with a drainage area of 7,059.2 square kilometers.

Natural Resources

Water Resources

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture has a total water resource volume of 11.97 billion cubic meters, with an exploitable volume of 9.57 billion cubic meters. The prefecture has enormous potential for hydropower development, with water energy resources amounting to 16.5 million kilowatts, accounting for 15% of Yunnan Province’s total water resources. The exploitable hydropower resources exceed 13.7 million kilowatts.

Biological Resources

Overview

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture lies at the transition zone between the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau. It serves as an ecological barrier for the upper reaches of the Jinsha and Lancang rivers. The region’s unique geographical and climatic conditions, influenced by the convergence of “Three Parallel Rivers” and “Two Transboundary Rivers,” create a diverse landscape of high mountains, deep gorges, snow peaks, glaciers, plateau wetlands, forests, meadows, freshwater lakes, rare animals, and precious plants. It is recognized globally as a rare area representing alpine landforms and their evolution, as well as one of the world’s richest regions in biological diversity. Diqing is known as the “Gene Bank of Earth’s Species,” “Kingdom of Plants and Animals,” “Natural Alpine Biological Garden,” “Cradle of Northern Temperate Plant Systems,” and “Mother of World Gardens.”

Animal Resources

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is home to 125 species of wild mammals. According to the National Key Protected Wild Animals List (2021), 15 species are under first-class protection, including the Yunnan snub-nosed monkey, pangolin, leopard, clouded leopard, snow leopard, large civet, small civet, jungle cat, golden cat, forest musk deer, black musk deer, horse musk deer, and white-lipped deer. There are 21 species of second-class protected mammals, such as the Tibetan macaque, rhesus monkey, Tibetan macaque, wolf, dhole, black bear, brown bear, red panda, otter, yellow-throated marten, wildcat, clouded leopard, leopard cat, Pallas’s cat, yellow-throated marten, lynx, sambar, Chinese serow, tufted deer, Chinese goral, and rock sheep. The region also hosts 337 species (19 subspecies) of wild birds, including 19 first-class protected species such as the black-necked crane, black stork, blood pheasant, yellow-throated marten, white-tailed eagle, golden eagle, steppe eagle, and lammergeier. There are over 90 second-class protected bird species, such as the snow partridge, Tibetan snowcock, blood pheasant, red-billed chough, black-tailed godwit, and peregrine falcon.

Plant Resources

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture boasts 4,485 species of vascular plants, including 297 species of ferns, 32 species of gymnosperms, and 4,156 species of angiosperms. Among these, more than 30% are endemic to China, with over 600 species unique to the region. According to the National Key Protected Wild Plants List (2021), there are four first-class national key protected species in Diqing: the Yunnan yew, alpine quillwort, ginkgo, and dove tree. The second-class species include the single-leaf plant, Lancang yellow pine, Yunnan Torreya, Taiwania (bald cypress), Gongshan three-needled pine, sabina, and over 50 other species. Diqing is also a distribution center for world-famous flowers such as rhododendrons, primroses, gentians, and blue poppies. By 2020, Diqing was known to have 1,578 species of ornamental plants from 106 families and 321 genera, and 969 species of medicinal plants.

Mineral Resources

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is rich in mineral resources. The Southeast Asian tin belt and the Yushu-Yidun copper, lead, zinc, silver, and gold belt traverse the region, making it an area rich in non-ferrous, rare, and non-metallic minerals. There are 41 types of minerals discovered, with 260 mineral deposits and points. These include copper, tungsten, molybdenum, lead, zinc, antimony, gold, silver, iron, tin, beryllium, bismuth, cobalt, sulfur, oil shale, crystal, coal, geothermal, carbon rock, serpentine, marble, asbestos, gypsum, fluorite, ceramic clay, and brick clay. Among these, the prefecture holds leading positions in Yunnan Province for 11 solid mineral reserves, including copper, molybdenum, beryllium, cobalt, bismuth, fluorite, and natural sulfur. Two gypsum mines have estimated resources close to 900 million tons, surpassing the total proven gypsum resources of other mines in the province. The prefecture’s copper mines, primarily located in Shangri-La’s Garza Pulang, Hongshan, Xuejiping, and Deqin’s Yangla and surrounding areas, have a proven copper metal reserve of over 6 million tons, with prospective resources exceeding 10 million tons. Tungsten, beryllium, and molybdenum resources are concentrated in Haba Snow Mountain’s Mahuaping and Garza Xiewacuo and Saduogele mining areas, with proven reserves of over 100,000 tons of tungsten and beryllium and 20,000 tons of molybdenum.

Iron ore resources are concentrated in Weixi’s Chugurza, Qingfu, Changputang, and Deqin’s Jiangbo mining areas, with a proven reserve of nearly 100 million tons. Lead and zinc mines are primarily located in Deqin’s Lirenka, Nanzo, Weixi’s Kangpu, and Shangri-La’s Anle mining areas, with proven reserves of over 3 million tons. Antimony is concentrated in Weixi’s Badi, Yongchun Township Baimaiji, Shimenduo, and Pantian Township Anando mining points. Gold mines are mainly distributed in Shangri-La’s Xiaozhongdian, Benge, Sanba Chupo, Garza Pulang, and Deqin’s Xiangruo Township Caigong Longpo mining areas. Asbestos mines are concentrated in Deqin’s Yunling Township Gongpo mining area. Gypsum mines are concentrated in Deqin’s Yangla Township Nan Gong, Foshan Township Bamei, Nagu, Shengping Town Ruoba Jian, Yunling Township Hongpo, Nanzo, and Weixi’s Gypsum Slope mining areas, with reserves exceeding 900 million tons.

Position and Region

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is located in the central-western part of Yunnan Province, lying between 98°52′~101°03′ E longitude and 24°41′~26°42′ N latitude. It borders Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture to the east, Pu’er City and Lincang City to the south, Baoshan City and Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture to the west, and Lijiang City to the north. The maximum east-west width is over 320 kilometers, and the maximum north-south length is over 270 kilometers. The distance from Kunming is 331 kilometers, covering a total area of 29,459 square kilometers.

Topography and Landforms

Topographical Features

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is situated at the conjunction of the Yunnan-Guizhou Plateau and the Hengduan Mountains, with the terrain higher in the northwest and lower in the southeast. The region features complex and diverse landforms. West of the Cangshan Mountain range lies the high mountain and canyon area, while east of Cangshan and west of Xiangyun features mid-mountain steep slopes. The major mountain ranges include the Yunling Mountains and the Nushan Mountains. The Cangshan Mountain, located in the central part of the prefecture, is lofty and towering. The highest peak is Xuebanshan at the junction of Jianchuan and Lijiang’s Lanping, with an altitude of 4,295 meters. The lowest point is Hongqiba in Yunlong County along the Nujiang River, with an altitude of 730 meters.

Geological Structure

The prefecture is divided into two major parts by the significant fault line along the Laojunshan-Cangshan-Ailaoshan line. The eastern part belongs to the Yangtze Paraplatform, while the western part belongs to the Tibetan-Yunnan Geosynclinal Fold Zone (also known as the Three Rivers Zone). The Yangtze Paraplatform area is bounded by the Erhai-Honghe deep fault to the west, extending into the Chuxiong region. The Tibetan-Yunnan Geosynclinal Fold Zone covers the vast western and southern areas of the prefecture, bordered by the Erhai-Honghe deep fault to the east and extending to the Nujiang and Lancang River valleys in the west, running north-south through the prefecture.

Climate

Climatic Characteristics

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture features a low-latitude plateau monsoon climate with distinct vertical climatic zones, evident seasonal wet and dry periods, mild summers, and no severe winters. The annual temperature variation is small, but the daily temperature variation is significant. The highest elevation is 4,295.8 meters, and the lowest is 730 meters, with temperature decreasing by 0.6~0.7°C for every 100-meter increase in altitude. The temperature varies markedly with altitude, featuring cold, temperate, and hot (including subtropical) climates, leading to the saying “one mountain has four seasons, and ten miles have different weather,” offering unique scenery.

Temperature

The annual average temperature ranges from 1219°C across the prefecture. The hottest month (June) has average temperatures of 1925°C, with no periods where the average temperature reaches ≥30°C, and days above 35°C are rare or nonexistent. The coldest month (January) has average temperatures of 5.013°C, with no periods where the average temperature is ≤0°C. The annual temperature variation is 1214°C. Daily temperatures are cooler in the mornings and evenings and warmer at noon, especially in winter and spring, with daily temperature variations of 13~20°C.

Precipitation

Precipitation distribution is highly uneven both seasonally and regionally. The wet season (rainy season) lasts from May to October, accounting for 8395% of the annual rainfall. The dry season (dry season) spans from November to April, with only 517% of the annual precipitation. The average annual precipitation is 836 mm, with Dali City receiving the most at 1,055 mm, and Binchuan the least at 564 mm. Most areas receive less than 900 mm of annual precipitation. The frost-free period ranges from 225 to 345 days, which is relatively long.

Hydrology

Water Systems

The main rivers in Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture belong to the Jinsha River, Lancang River, Nujiang River, and Honghe River (Yuanjiang River) systems, with over 160 rivers crisscrossing the prefecture. There are eight lakes within the prefecture: Erhai Lake, Tianchi, Cibi Lake, Xihu Lake, Donghu Lake, Jianhu Lake, Haixi Lake, and Qinghai Lake.

Soil

Soil Types

Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture has soil types classified into 8 orders, 13 suborders, 23 groups, 76 subgroups, and 236 soil species. Purple soils cover 31.75% of the total land area, while red soils account for 27.7%.

Natural Resources

Land Resources

As of July 2023, Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture covers an area of 29,459 square kilometers, with 368,884 hectares of arable land and 28,299 hectares of orchard land, serving as a production base for citrus, apples, peaches, plums, pears, tea, and mulberries. The land use is approximately 60% forest, 20% pasture, 13% arable land, and 7% other uses.

Biological Resources

The primary vegetation types include semi-humid evergreen broad-leaved forests, temperate mountain hard-leaved evergreen oak forests, temperate coniferous forests, temperate shrubs, dry-hot valley shrubs, and plateau lake aquatic vegetation. The prefecture is rich in forest resources, being a key forest area in Yunnan Province. Major tree species include Yunnan pine, Huashan pine, hemlock, fir, Masson pine, Simao pine, cypress, camphor, toon, and oak. Rare species include ginkgo, Munipero cypress, Podocarpus, Chinese yew, and Davidia involucrata.

Forests and Reserves

Approved by the Ministry of Forestry, the prefecture has established five national forest parks: Weibao Mountain in Weishan County, Qinghua Cave in Xiangyun County, Dongshan in Midu County, Lingbao Mountain in Nanjian County, and Baotai Mountain in Yongping County. There is one national nature reserve (Cangshan-Erhai), three provincial nature reserves (Tianchi in Yunlong County, Jizu Mountain in Binchuan County, and Jinguang Temple in Yongping County), and 14 prefecture-level nature reserves. Cangshan Mountain alone has identified around 3,000 species of higher plants, making it a major medicinal herb production area in Yunnan Province, with 600 types of medicinal herbs managed nationally.

Water Resources

The average annual precipitation in the prefecture is 29.872 billion cubic meters, with an average annual surface runoff of 10.58 billion cubic meters and groundwater reserves of 3.23 billion cubic meters, totaling 13.81 billion cubic meters of water resources, averaging 4,500 cubic meters per person. The prefecture’s rivers are rich in hydropower resources, with an estimated potential of 9.3 million kilowatts, of which 8.07 million kilowatts are exploitable. Currently, 304,700 kilowatts have been developed, accounting for 3.8% of the total.

Mineral Resources

The prefecture has favorable geological conditions for mineral formation and a variety of mineral resources. Metallic minerals include manganese, iron, tin, antimony, lead, zinc, copper, nickel, cobalt, tungsten, silver, gold, platinum, palladium, molybdenum, aluminum, and mercury, with over 200 ore deposits and mineral points. Developed and utilized resources include Beiya lead mine, Heqing manganese mine, Weishan, Yangbi antimony mines, Heqing, Binchuan gold sands, among others. Non-metallic minerals include coal, rock salt, marble, limestone, dolomite, fluorite, quartz sand, arsenic, barite, asbestos, graphite, gypsum, talc, bentonite, diatomite, and clay minerals. Developed resources include coal, salt, limestone, and marble, with marble reserves reaching 100 million cubic meters, classified as a super-large deposit. Geothermal resources are mainly distributed along the Nanjian-Midu-Xiaguan-Eryuan line.

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Dehong Geography

Geographic Environment Location and Boundaries 德宏傣族景颇族自治州 (Dehong Dai and Jingpo Autonomous Prefecture) is situated in the western part of Yunnan Province, China, between 97°31′ to 98°43′ east longitude and...

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• Dehong

Chuxiong Geography

Geographic Environment Location and Boundaries 楚雄彝族自治州 (Chuxiong Yi Autonomous Prefecture) is located in the central part of Yunnan Province, China, spanning between 100°43′ to 102°30′ east longitude and 24°13′...

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• Chuxiong

Baoshan Geography

Location and Boundary Chuxiong is situated in the western part of Yunnan Province, between 98°25′E – 100°02′E longitude and 24°08′N – 25°51′N latitude. It borders Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture...

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• Baoshan

Wenshan Geography

Geographic Location Wenshan City is located in the southeastern part of Yunnan Province, southwestern part of Wenshan Prefecture. It spans between 103°43′E to 104°27′E longitude and 23°06′N to 23°44′N...

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• Wenshan

Puer Geography

Location and Administrative Division Geographic Location Puer City is situated in the southwestern part of Yunnan Province, China, spanning between 22°02′N to 24°50′N latitude and 99°09′E to 102°19′E longitude....

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• Puer

Lincang Geography

Location and Administrative Division Lincang City is located in the southwest part of Yunnan Province, China, between 98°40′ to 100°32′ east longitude and 23°05′ to 25°03′ north latitude. The...

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• Lincang

Nujiang Geography

Location and Administrative Divisions Nujiang Lisu Autonomous Prefecture is located in the northwest part of Yunnan Province, between 98°09′ to 99°39′ east longitude and 25°33′ to 28°23′ north latitude....

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• Nujiang

Qujing Geography

Location and Territory Qujing City is situated in the eastern part of Yunnan Province, at the source of the Pearl River, bordering Guizhou and Guangxi provinces. Historically, it has...

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• Qujing

Honghe Geography

Honghe Hani and Yi Autonomous Prefecture is situated in the southern part of Yunnan Province. It borders Kunming City to the north, Wenshan City to the east, and Yuxi...

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• Honghe

XishuangBanna Geography

Xishuangbanna is located between 21°10′ to 22°40′ N latitude and 99°55′ to 101°50′ E longitude, at the northern edge of the tropics south of the Tropic of Cancer. It...

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• XishuangBanna

Diqing Geography

Diqing Tibetan Autonomous Prefecture is situated at the junction of Yunnan, Sichuan, and Tibet. It lies in the southern extension of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and is the highest-altitude area...

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• Diqing

Dali Geography

Position and Region Dali Bai Autonomous Prefecture is located in the central-western part of Yunnan Province, lying between 98°52′~101°03′ E longitude and 24°41′~26°42′ N latitude. It borders Chuxiong Yi...

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• Dali